{"id":3852,"date":"2021-04-29T09:44:25","date_gmt":"2021-04-29T13:44:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aseq-ehaq.ca\/?page_id=3852"},"modified":"2022-12-07T12:10:22","modified_gmt":"2022-12-07T17:10:22","slug":"existing-not-living-with-multiple-chemical-sensitivities","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/aseq-ehaq.ca\/en\/existing-not-living-with-multiple-chemical-sensitivities\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Voice Matters"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Does Anyone Care<\/strong><\/a>
Ren\u00e9e Gabrych<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lack of accommodation for a disability<\/a><\/strong>
Ginger Major<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am tired of living in hell<\/a><\/strong>
Olly Gabrych<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Housing Crisis for People with MCS<\/a><\/strong>
Line <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Stolen Life<\/a><\/strong><\/strong>
S. Shepherd<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dead But Alive
What is sensitivity to chemical products (MCS)?<\/a><\/strong>
Sylvie Hach\u00e9<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>
Muriel L\u00e9tourneau<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Life Becomes a Nightmare<\/strong>
My story of living with multiple chemical sensitivities<\/a><\/strong><\/strong>
Danielle Castonguay<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I Suffer Too Much, I Can\u2019t Keep Quiet Anymore!<\/strong>
I feel inspired by a mission<\/strong><\/a>
Line <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the \u201cInvisible Illness\u201d becomes Visible<\/strong>
Or \u2013 Monster Lady Comes for a Visit<\/strong><\/strong><\/a>
Lisa Edelsward<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The story of a teacher<\/a><\/strong><\/strong>
Marlene<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Living with the Feeling of Being on borrowed time<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>
Isabelle Martineau<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>MCS: A Life-Altering Disability<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>
Ruth Woitowitz<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Existing (NOT \u201cLiving\u201d) With Multiple Chemical Sensitivities<\/strong><\/strong>
Ruth Woitowitz<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the Lucky ones!<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>
Debra Aronson<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

My Illness Journey<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>
Sophie M.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Existing (NOT \u201cLiving\u201d) With Multiple Chemical Sensitivities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ruth Woitowitz<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Part 1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now I lay me down to sleep, praying I could just breathe deep;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But as my bedroom fills with smoke – each inhalation makes me choke!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve tried to seal up all the cracks to stop the smoke in its tracks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Closed the windows, sealed the door – now the smoke comes through the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My furniture and carpet reek – \u201cStale Smoke Odour\u201d:  the new chic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve tried to stand up for my rights – all I got were sleepless nights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m a prisoner in my home while smoky neighbours freely roam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eyes, nose, throat all feel on fire – \u201ca smoke-free home\u201d my one desire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Big Tobacco brings in dough – can\u2019t disrupt their huge cash flow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Governments turn their heads away as each non-smoker they betray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Landlords will not take a stand – Smokers\u2019 Rights are their command.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can\u2019t afford to move away – in a smoky haze I\u2019ll have to stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

May 16, 2014<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After moving from a mold-filled basement apartment in 1997, to an apartment building where, for 20+ years to the present, I inhaled\/absorbed my neighbours\u2019 cigarette smoke, scented personal care\/laundry\/cleaning products, and later marijuana smoke against my will; where my landlord ignored my health complaints due to the smoke and scents; where repeated requests to my landlord for Accommodation for my Disability were either ignored or dismissed; and where I was screamed at by another tenant for politely asking that he keep his cigarette smoke out of the hallway; I was diagnosed with Environmental Sensitivities (ES)\/Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS) in January 2017.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part 2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MCS \u2013 a life-changing disability. Not one you\u2019d wish on your worst enemy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s stolen my freedom, sanity, and health. Robbed me of dignity, happiness, and wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Governments don\u2019t care, they cast us aside. They vowed to help us, but, as always, they lied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Promise of safe health care stored in a heap, while we\u2019re ignored \u2013 we\u2019re the \u201cblack sheep\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s no SAFE housing free of smoke and scents. Not when you\u2019re poor and can\u2019t afford the rent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trapped in a MUD, where chemicals freely flow, no hope of escape, no safe place to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I took my landlord to the HRTO: got a mediated settlement, but man was it slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Renovations were completed, but made the air WORSE! My nightmare continues . . . I feel like I\u2019m cursed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He doesn\u2019t care that the air is substandard, that the smoke and scents flow through unhampered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He \u201cdid his duty\u201d, refuses to do more. I\u2019m trapped in a dungeon, sealed behind a plastic door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re just too sensitive, There\u2019s no smoke in the air, You\u2019re faking your symptoms,<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We don\u2019t really care.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accommodations \u2013 few and far between at best, MCS isn\u2019t real, You just need a Psych test.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

My MCS Symptoms<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Impaired:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Respiratory System (<\/strong>shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing);<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Neurological Function (<\/strong>dizziness, mobility, balance, concentration, inability to speak or speak clearly, sleep difficulties, headaches, migraines, \u201cunresponsive episodes\u201d \u2013 where I can hear everything but cannot move\/function\/speak);<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Cardiovascular System (<\/strong>heart palpitations, blood pressure alterations);<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Muscles and Joints (<\/strong>aches and pains); <\/strong>and<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Gastrointestinal System (<\/strong>nausea, vomiting, diarrhea).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Part 3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Can\u2019t vacate the enclosure my contractor created to keep me safe from chemicals while he renovated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    All my possessions are crammed in with me, in a 200-square-foot \u201cdungeon\u201d I\u2019m dying to flee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Surrounded by boxes \u2013 piled ceiling to floor \u2013 can\u2018t find what I need or want anymore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There\u2019s no room in here for me to unpack, so the boxes stay filled, side by side, and stacked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Cigarette and pot smoke, perfume, and scents, destroying my health and my home\u2019s meager contents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Prisoners have safer housing than me, but MCS brings out the inequality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Permeated with smoke, my furniture is long gone, except for a storage unit and the bed I sleep on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I\u2019ve lost so much due to others\u2019 scents and smoke, but still some think MCS is a joke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I don\u2019t have SAFE access to fresh air or sunlight \u2013 solitary confinement: my never-ending plight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The window\u2019s sealed up to block out the smoke, no fresh air or sunshine, but at least I don\u2019t choke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    No SAFE access to heat or the summer\u2019s A\/C: sealed vents help keep smoke and scents away from me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    No SAFE access to an oven or stove to cook meals, it\u2019s either raw food . . . or what my microwave reveals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The bathroom is home to so many chores: meal prep, dishwashing, laundry, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The bedroom is no longer just where I sleep \u2013 but also watch TV, send emails, cook, and eat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    No litter box or scratching post, no kitty to love: Holly\u2019s now living with Jesus, above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I\u2019ve got her pictures and ashes all displayed . . . but kisses and hugs would be much better aid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    COVID swooped in and caused even more stress, keeping me quarantined, and even more depressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Can\u2019t get SAFE health care if I get COVID, so I\u2019ve stayed home, alone, while my sanity eroded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Can\u2019t enter public buildings for groceries, or health care: chemicals are too strong, poisoning the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    No-one here to help me, I\u2019m all alone. I connect to people by OTN, emails, and phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I only leave my dungeon to open the door \u2013 deliveries of groceries, medications, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Every two weeks I go down to the mailbox (halls are clear each morning between twelve and one-o\u2019clock).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The other side of my dungeon reeks of chemicals galore \u2013 nights are worst for cigarette and drug smoke I abhor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I hate this prison, and I hate MCS \u2013 but I\u2019m stuck with both: the government ignored my SOS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    April 16, 2021<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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